Living Ready!
Author: Pastor Mitch Williams
January 22, 2026
When I was a child, I remember my mother saying, “Oh no—Jimmy Carter has just become President, and he’s a serious Baptist. Is this the beginning of the Sunday Law?” It seems that every few years, after a major news event, the same question surfaces: Is this the beginning of the end? Are we living in the last days?
Jesus was clear that no one knows the exact day or hour of His return—only the Father knows that. But He also told us to know the seasons. Just as we can recognize weather patterns that signal a coming storm, we are called to discern the spiritual climate and read the signs that His return is drawing near.
Earlier this month, another possible warning sign appeared. It may amount to nothing—or it could be an indication that we truly are living in the last days. A Washington, D.C.–based advocacy group, the Heritage Foundation, recently proposed what they call a “Uniform Day of Rest.”
The stated goal of this proposal is to strengthen America by strengthening the family. It would encourage states and municipalities to restrict certain commercial activities—buying and selling—on Sundays, promoting spiritual engagement and providing a consistent day of rest for workers.
At first glance, many Americans might welcome such an idea. Who wouldn’t appreciate encouragement to slow down and focus on family? But as Sabbath keepers, we can clearly see the concerns and the potential consequences such measures could create.
History reminds us that major injustices rarely begin all at once. In Nazi Germany, persecution unfolded gradually—step by step. What began as registration and identification eventually led to restriction, isolation, and devastating loss of life. History shows how quickly freedoms can erode when people are unwatchful.
The reality is this: the enemy seeks to bring confusion, compromise, and spiritual complacency among God’s people. His methods are often subtle and gradual, but always intentional. He knows his time is short, and that the return of Jesus is near.
Therefore, stay very close to Jesus. Make it your daily practice to pray, to read the Word, and to share your faith. For in the not-too-distant future—perhaps even in our lifetime—Jesus will return. And what a day of rejoicing that will be!
“Look, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to each person according to what they have done.”
—Revelation 22:12
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